KPD helping with National Night Out Aug. 5

In partnership with the National Association of Town Watch, the Keizer Police Department will be co-sponsoring the 31st annual National Night Out event citywide on Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m.

More than 34 million people in more than 15,000 communities throughout the country will join forces to promote police-community partnerships, crime, drug and violence prevention, safety and neighborhood unity.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime awareness; generate support and participation in local anti-crime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community relations and send a message to criminals, letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Residents in neighborhoods in Keizer and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Many neighborhoods will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, potlucks, dessert socials and youth activities. Neighborhood Watch block captains are highly encouraged to organize an event as an opportunity to contact their participants, meet new neighbors and update their rosters. All other neighborhoods are also encouraged to participate.

Participants are asked to designate a particular problem area in their neighborhood. Called “Project 365,” it could be anything from a problem park, a suspected drug house or car break-ins. The goal will be to work towards correcting the problem in 365 days, or by National Night Out 2015.

Participants can discuss their project with neighbors and visiting police officers and solicit their help and input. They may also announce their plans and success with the National Association of Town Watch. For more information, visit www.nno.org.

The registration packet for National Night Out 2014 is available at www.keizerpd.com. Registration packets are also available at the Keizer Police Department at 930 Chemawa Rd. NE. Registration forms must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1.

For more information, contact Lt. Andrew Copeland at 503-856-3463 or e-mail copelanda@keizer.org.